1967 Protocol

Definition

The 1967 Protocol is a significant international agreement that expanded the scope of the 1951 Refugee Convention by removing geographical and temporal limitations on refugee status. By doing so, it allowed for the recognition of refugees who fled conflicts and persecution outside of Europe and after 1951, thus broadening the definition of who qualifies as a refugee and ensuring protection for a greater number of displaced individuals worldwide. This protocol has played a crucial role in shaping the legal landscape for refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The 1967 Protocol was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966, and entered into force on October 4, 1967.
2. By removing the original geographical limitation of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the Protocol recognizes refugees fleeing from conflicts in Africa, Asia, and other regions.
3. The Protocol emphasizes that individuals who face serious threats to their life or freedom due to their race, religion, nationality, social group membership, or political opinion are entitled to protection.
4. As of now, over 145 countries have ratified or acceded to the 1967 Protocol, demonstrating widespread international commitment to refugee protection.
5. The Protocol is instrumental in guiding national laws regarding refugee status and has influenced many domestic asylum systems worldwide.

Review Questions

• How does the 1967 Protocol expand upon the provisions set forth in the 1951 Refugee Convention?
  • The 1967 Protocol expands upon the 1951 Refugee Convention by removing both geographical and temporal limitations that originally defined refugee status. While the 1951 Convention focused on refugees from Europe who fled before 1951, the Protocol broadens this definition to include those fleeing conflicts and persecution globally without time constraints. This allows for more individuals facing threats to their safety to seek refuge and access international protection under a unified framework.
• Discuss the impact of the 1967 Protocol on contemporary refugee protection mechanisms established by UNHCR.
  • The 1967 Protocol significantly impacts contemporary refugee protection mechanisms by providing a legal foundation that guides UNHCR's work globally. The UNHCR uses the expanded definitions from the Protocol to advocate for policies that protect refugees from various regions and circumstances. This flexibility enables UNHCR to respond effectively to emerging crises and advocate for refugee rights internationally, ensuring that assistance is provided where it is needed most.
• Evaluate how the adoption of the 1967 Protocol has shaped national asylum laws and practices in various countries around the world.
  • The adoption of the 1967 Protocol has profoundly shaped national asylum laws and practices by encouraging countries to align their legal frameworks with international standards for refugee protection. Many nations have adopted legislation that incorporates principles from the Protocol, such as non-refoulement and expanded definitions of refugees. This alignment helps ensure that more individuals can seek asylum based on modern circumstances of conflict or persecution, influencing global norms regarding refugee rights and prompting countries to improve their asylum processes accordingly.

Related terms

Refugee Convention: The 1951 Refugee Convention is a foundational international treaty that defines the term 'refugee' and outlines the rights of refugees and the obligations of states to protect them.

UNHCR: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the UN agency responsible for coordinating international efforts to protect and support refugees and displaced persons around the world.

Asylum Seeker: An asylum seeker is an individual who has fled their home country and is seeking international protection but whose claim for refugee status has not yet been determined.